Combination lock



J. M. STRMIC COMBINATION LOCK Filed Sent. 23. 1919 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented ct. 7, 1924.

Unirse stares Par-ani eroica? COMBINATION LOCK.

Application filed September 23, 1919. Serial No. 325,638.

T 0 all whom t may concern:

Be itvknown that I, JOHN M. Srita/rio, a citizen of the Unitedv States, residing at Chic-ago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Combination Locks, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forining a part of this specification.

The invention relates to locks and primarily to that type of these devices generally known as'combination locks, the looking and unlocking of which is controlled by movable elements each of which are moved a certain pred'escribed distance to effect an unlocking of the parts.

The invention has among its variousobjects the pro-vision of an arrangement such as above described 'which is simple, strong and durable in construction and which cannot be tampered with to effect a separation of the parts when the same are in` locked I Lthat illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, yshowing la modified construction' which maybe re- It is a further object of the invention to provide a device of this character with a means whereby they proper person may readily manipulate the mechanism so that he may without the aid of numerals etc. determine when the controlling mechanism is positioned so as to permit a separation o-f the portions which are locked together.

It is an added object to provide a means whereby the movement of one controlling element is prevented from being transmitted to another, thereby insuring that said elements will be retained in their proper position after being set to effect a separation or unlocking of the parts.

rlhe invention has as a further object the provision of means whereby the combination may be readily changed should this at any time be found, desirable.

In the structure shown a plurality' of rotatable controlling elements are contemplated for controlling the locking and separation of the parts. The invention also has as an object the provision of a means whereby any strain which may be exerted` upon the parts to cause an unauthorized separation thereof when sa-meare in lockedY relation, will .be exerted upon the two elements which are locked Atogether instead of upon the controlling elements.

It is anotherl object of the arrangement to provide means whereby the combinations -te'nsion 14C. 'portion 15 arranged between the flange y13 and the end thereof.l `The element llalso .for controlling the separation of thelock terasse may be varied by changing-the relative positions ofthe parts.

The invention has these and other objects all of which will be lmore readily under'- stood when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which will be explained in detail herein and in `which Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section of the construction showing the parts in locked relation; i Fig. 2 is a section similar to Fig. 1 showing the parts in position to permit a separation thereof;

Fig. 3 is a section taken on li Fig. 1;

Fig. 11 is a section taken on line 1 4 of Fig. 2; i .il

Fig. 5 is an end view of one portion of the device; h

Fig. 6 is a section taken on line `tif-6 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7 is a. longitudinal section similar yto ne of i sorted to and which permits various comi Fig. 7, showing the' parts in their L'relative position to be controlled by one combination; i

Fig. -9 shows the parts of Figi 8 in a changed position which-results in a different combination from that resulting from the position of the parts as shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a detail of a. portion employed `in 'the structure, shown in Fig. 7 and F i0. 11 is another modified arrangement which might be substituted for a similar part in the devices shown in` Figs. 2 and 7 In the embodiment of the invention illusl trated in the drawings 4the use vofthe two elements 10 and 11 .toI ybe locked togetherand unlocked from eachother is-conteniplated. These elements are each provided withman eyelet 12 whereby the opposite ends? of a chain (not shown)` may be secured lthereto.l The 'element 10 is further provided with the flanged portion 13 and the spindle-.or eX- This spindle has a reduced has an extension 16 which is provided with yaV central bore 17 for the receptio-n ofthe spindle- 14:. This spindle is held in locked iio relation with respect' to the member 11 by v mi 4from the bore 17. `cludes the bar 37, spring 33, and pin 39 means of the mechanism generally designated 18, which when same is in 'the position illustrated in Fig. 1 engages both of said members and 11, said mechanism being held in this position by the rotatable elements 19-20 and 21, which arc rotatable upon the portion 16 of the part 11. These latter elements being rotatably heldkupon the portion 16 by the collar 22 between it and the flange 22a. The member 22 is in turn Aheld by the enlarged end 23 of the portion 16 and the screw 24 which is threaded into both the enlargement and the collar 22. This screw 24 is hidden Yfrom view by the vflange 13r of the member 10, and consequently cannot be tampered with to permit of a separation ot the parts when same are arranged in locked relation to each other.

From the foregoing vit is evident that the rotatable elements 19, 2O and 21 are held in position upon the portion 16 and that the parts 10 and 11 may be disconnected without-any danger 'of said rotatable elements becoming separated therefrom. The portion 16 is provided with a groove 25 and also carries the stationary discs 26, 27 and 23 which have the projections 29 (Fig. 6) which enter the groove and thereby prevents any rotation thereof. These discs have a plurality of circumferentially arranged apertures 31-31, and a blank space 32. The apertures cooperate with the spring pressed detents 33 of each of the rotatable members 19, 2O and 21, and are provided to hold the rotatable elements in position and against accidental movement. These discs. act as washers and prevent transmitting the movement of one of the rotatable elements to the other when rotated. As shown in Fig. 6 each of said discs is provided with Aa slot 34 which is arranged in alignment with 'the slot 35 provided in the portion 16 of the member 11. Each et thezrotatable elements 19, 2O and 21 is also provided with a recess or cutaway portion 36, which when arranged in alignment with .the slot 34 in the disc and the slot 35 in the portion 16, and with each other, permits the mechanism generally designated by the numeral 18 to release the spindle 14 which then allows this portion to be withdrawn The mechanism 18 inwhich projects through the aperture 40 providednin the wall of the 4member 16, and into the reduced portion 15 of the spindle 14. When these parts are in the position 'shown in Fig. 1, it will be understood that the recesses 36 of the rotatable elements 19 to'21 are out of alignment with the slots 34 `and 35, andthus the bar 37 is held against the action of the spring 38 by the concen- Itric port-ion of the rotatable elements, which consequently causes the pin 39 to project into the reduced portion 15 of the spindle 14, and prevents the withdrawal of this portion. It will further be understood that the bar 37 will be held in the depressed condition as long as any ot' the recesses 36 are not in alignment with the slots 34 and 35. Consequently all or the recesses must be in alignment, otherwise the bar cannot be moved by the spring 38 to release the spindle.

The operation oit the device shown in Figs. 1 to 6 to unlock it is substantiallyfas tollows: The operator will rotate each of the rotatable elements 19, 2O and 21 in a clockwise direction, which will cause a clicking sound to be produced as the detents 33 enter the apertures 31 oi" the stationary discs 26 to 23. This sound will continue until the space 32 is reached, when it will be momentarily interrupted, warning the user to count the clic is. He knowing the particular number required to bring the slot 36 ot each rotatable element into its proper position, will know when to stop operating each element. This will clearly be understood by referring to Fig..3, as the fourth click after the space 32 indicates that the slot 36 is in alignment with the slot ot the portion 16. Thus when all of the slots 36 are in alignment with each otherl and with the slot 35 the bar 37 and projection 39 can be moved upwardly by the spring 36 which causes a disconnection of the portions 11 and 12, and permits of their separation. It is further evident that turning any one of the elements 19 to 21 immediately breaks the combination and if the spindle 14 at this time is inserted in the bore 17, the same will be held against separation yfrom the member 11.

The enlargement or head 23 of the member 16 and the collar 22 have cooperating means for holding the collar with relation to the head before the screw 24 is inserted. This means permits oi their separation after the screw 24 has been removed, and includes the inwardly projecting lugs 40-40 which are placed in alignment with the cutaway portions 41 and 42 of the head and passed over the same and turned Aa portion of a. turn. his brings these lugs 40-4O out of alignment with the cutaway portions and in rear or the solid portion of the head which prevents its removal until the same is again turned to bring the lugs into alignment with the slots 41 and 42.

lin Figs. 7 to 10 are illustrated an arrangement which may be resorted to and in which the combination necessary to permit of a release of the parts may be changed or varied. This structure corresponds in most of its elements with that shown in Figs. 1 and 2. differing only in the structure of the rotatable elements and the detent which co` operates therewith. Tn this structure the rotatable elements 43-43 are constructed of two separable parts 44 and 45, the element having a series of circumferentially arranged slots 46-46 and the portion 44 hav-l 'and 45 in proper relative position, yet permit the'same to be separated, the purpose of which will be explained in the following:

These portions 44 and 45 are each recessed as shown at 48 to accommodate the spherical detent 49 of the stationary washer 50 shown in Fig. 10. The portions 44 and 45 are each provided with an unequal number of recesses 51 and 52 which when properly ar ranged with respect to each other produce hemispherical recesses for the reception of the detent 49. yBy providing an unequal numberl of these recesses 51 and 52 a blank Space as 53 is provided similar in purpose to the blank space 32 ofthe structure shown in Figs. 1 to 6. The portion 44 is also provided with a slot 36a similar in purpose to the slot 36 in Figs. 1 to 6, and the disc 50 is provided with a slot 34, the object oi this being to permit the bar 54 to be ele vated when the slots 36"L of the rotatable elements of this latter structure are brought into alignment with each other and into alignment with the bar.

By constructing the rotatable elements of this structure of two parts, 44 and 45, so that same may be shifted relatively to each other, the space 53 may be caused to assume a relatively different position with relation to the slot 36a which consequently changes the combination necessary to bring this slot into proper position to release the bar.

In the structure shown in Fig. 11 another arrangement for changing thel combination is illustrated. When this structure is resorted to the extension corresponding to that designated 16 in Figs. 1 and 2 will be providedwith a series of longitudinal slots 55. The disc 56 willbe provided with the projection 57 which may enter any of said slots. This disc will be further provided with a plurality of apertures 58-58 and slots 59-59, and blank space 60. ThisV structure differs from those preceding in that a plurality of slots and 59 are provided in the disc and portion 16 and by shift-ing the disc circumferentially with respect to the portion 16 and by turning this disc so that the opposite disc face is presented to the detent, various combinations can be obtained. For example, presume that the projection 57 is inserted in the uppermost slot to the right of Fig. 11. This will bring the blank space 60 of the disc to position a and the slotv b in alignment with the slotl 35 in which the bar 37 is arranged.

By shifting'the disc so that the projection thereof is arranged in the uppermost left hand slot, the blank space 60 will be arranged at c. Now by reversing the disc so that ythe opposite face is outermost with reference to Fig. 11, and by arranging the projection so that same is in the uppermost left hand slot of the member 16, 'the blank space 60 will be arranged at CZ. By. shiftingk the disc so'that the projection may enter the uppermost right hand slot the blank space. will again assume a position at c. It being understood that placingr the projection in any of the intermediate slots, various other combinations will result. Thus by shifting vthis disc relatively to the slotted element the blank space will also be shifted closer to or further away'relatively to the slot 61. within which the bar 37 is confined. This naturally necessitates various movements and results in various combinations. v

The general operation necessary to permit of a separation cf the parts is substantially as follows: Presuming thatl the combination to unlock the parts shown in Figs. 1 and 2, is 4 3 and 2, the user will turn the rotatable element 19 in a clockwise direction until (Fig. 6) the successive clicking sound is momentarily interrupted. Thereafter upon each recurrence'he will count until the 4th click. This brings the slot 36 of this rotatable element into alignment with the slot 35, after which it is held in this position by its detent 33. Movement of the elements 2O and 21 a number corresponding to that at which they are set brings the slots of these elements into alignment with a similar slot of a preceding rotatable element and intov alignment with the slot 35 of the member 16. This permits the bar 37 carrying the pin 39 to move upwardly and out of the reduced portionv ofthe portion l0 which permits the members 10 and 11 to be separated. It will benoted that any pulling strain which i kmight be exerted upon the members 10 and 11 when same are in locked relation, is directed upon said members 10 and 11 and not upon the rotatable elements, also that the rotation of any `of said rotatable elements depresses the bar 37 and again locks the parts together.`v

From the foregoingexplanation it is evi- [dent that a simple and eifective arrangement 1s provided 1n which various combinations may be formed, also that the rotation of one part is not transmitted to another during -rotation, and said parts are held in their adjusted position. Having thus described the invention itlis obviousfthat changes and modifications may be resorted to without departing from the `scope of the invention defined in the claims.

Vhat I claim and desire to cover byl Lettersl Patent is: f

1. In a lock 'the combination of a pair of separableA members, one of said members having an extension, said extension being provided with a bore, kfor the `reception of the other member, a transverse aperture provided in said extension Which communicates With said bore, a reciprocable member carried by said extension, a plurality of rotatable members also mounted upon the eXtension and having means for controlling the action of said reciprocable member, said reciprocable member having means which cooperates With the vsecond mentioned member to releasably lock said separable members together, and means co-operating with the rotatable members for holding said members in adjusted position.

In a lock the combination of a pair ot separable members, one ot said members having an extension provided with a bore ior the reception ot the other member, a transverse aperture provided in said extension communicating with the bore, a reciprocable member carried by said extension, a plurality ot rotatable members also mounted uponr the extension and having means :tor controlling the action ot the reciprocable member, said reciprocable member having an extension which operates in the transverse aperture, the other separable member having a portion constructed to be inserted into the bore ot the lirst mentioned member, said last .mentioned member having an annular portion provided to engage the extension of the reciprocable member to lock said separable members together. j

3. In a lock the combination of a pairA ot separable members, one of said members having an extension which is provided with a bore, a transverse aperture provided in said extension which communicates with said bore, said extension being provided with a. lgroove, a reciprocable member provided in said groove, said member having an extension Which operates 'in the transverse aperture, a plurality of rotatable members arranged upon said extension, said members having means for controlling` the actuation of said reciprocable member, the other separable member having a portion ccmstructed to be inserted into the bore ot ing to releasably engage said second men-.

tioned member, a plurality of rotatable members arranged upon the first mentioned member, said. members being provided to control the action ot the reciprocable member7 means for holding said rotatable members in adjusted position, and means provided upon the irst mentioned member for permitting the adjustment of said last mentioned means.

5. In a. loclr the combination of a pair ot separable members, one ot said members having an extension, a. bore provided in the extension for the reception of the other member, a reciprocable member having means for releasably engaging said member which is inserted into the bore ot. the first mentioned member, al plurality of rotatable members arranged upon the iirst mentioned member, said rotatable members yhaving means for controlling the action ot the reciprocable member, a stationary member for each rotatable member for' retaining said rotatable members in adjusted position, said last mentioned member being adjustable whereby the movement of the rotatable member may be varied to effect a. release of the separable members.

ln a lock the combination of ajpair of separable members, constructed to be releasably connected together' and rotatable with respect to each other when connected together, means for releasably connecting said members, rotatable means for controlling said first mentioned means, means cooperating with the first mentioned rotatable means for holding said first mentioned rotatable means in adjusted position, said second mentioned means having means for holding the same in its adjusted position.

7. ln a lock the combination of a pair of separable members constructed to be. releasably connected together, and rotatable with respect to each other When connected together, means for releasably connecting said members, rotatable means for controlling said first mentioned means and stationary means co-operating With the rotatable means for holding said rotatable means in adjustedr position.

S. In a lock the combination ot' a pair ot sep-arable members constructed to be releasably connected together and rotatable with respect to each other when connected together,v means for releasab'ly connecting said members, rotatable means for controlling said irst mentioned means, and adjustable means co-operating with the rotatable means for holding said rotatable means in adjusted position.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my na-me this 16th day of September A. D., 1919.

JOHN M. STRMIC.

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